as in brute
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
only a heartless villain would kidnap a baby for ransom
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of villain
Since half his face fell off at the end of season 4, he’s played villains in Revolution (2012–2014), The Mandalorian (2019–2023), and The Boys (2019–present).
—
Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly are called local villains by neighbors of the ritzy California town the couple fled to after leaving their royal roles behind.
—Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Its heroes and villains are larger than life, at least until recently, and every aspect of existence on the planet was affected.
—The Know, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Also tossed in are picturesque but gratuitous use of famous tourist landmarks as background, near-superheroic training montages, credible intimate character dynamics, a ruthless villain (Johan Heldenbergh as Vanaken) and action that in the home stretch goes absurdly over-the-top.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for villain 
Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly are called local villains by neighbors of the ritzy California town the couple fled to after leaving their royal roles behind.
—Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Its heroes and villains are larger than life, at least until recently, and every aspect of existence on the planet was affected.
—The Know, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Also tossed in are picturesque but gratuitous use of famous tourist landmarks as background, near-superheroic training montages, credible intimate character dynamics, a ruthless villain (Johan Heldenbergh as Vanaken) and action that in the home stretch goes absurdly over-the-top.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for villain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for villain
Noun
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Smith has been on the outer of the Australian team in the T20 format, his weakest format where his lack of power can get exposed in a game dotted by muscular brutes.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Maliki is a divisive brute whom Iran supports to the hilt.—
Dov Friedman,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2014
Noun
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The creature towers over one of Peter's fellow students which spurs him into action, distracting the monster long enough for Dr. Strange to wrangle it and haul it back through one of his signature portals.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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In hindsight, the monster struck Persin as almost a little Picasso.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Play devil’s advocate, explore worst-case scenarios and invite constructive criticism.—
Mark Kane,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Against Djokovic, that battle can become a devil’s choice.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Every day Americans are safer because of the violent criminals that President Trump's administration is removing from our communities.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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But during a White House press briefing this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt boldly asserted that under the Trump administration, all undocumented immigrants are considered criminals.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Often regarded by historians as a collection of savage tribes, the Scythians emerge as a pivotal force of the ancient world in this monumental history.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2023
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Nearly 32 years ago, Rodney King’s savage beating by police in Los Angeles prompted heartfelt calls for change.—
Aaron Morrison, Claudia Lauer and Adrian Sainz,
Anchorage Daily News,
29 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Routed through a six-speed manual gearbox, the power was enough to launch this beast of a car from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds along the way to a top speed of 186 mph.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2025
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According to the folklore, a mythical beast would come and devour villagers and livestock each Chinese New Year, but the beast was afraid of loud noises and the color red.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Now that movie’s writer-director, Leigh Whannell, has returned to bring another classic fiend into the 21st century, with Poor Things scoundrel Christopher Abbott as a family man who starts feeling a little hairy after a full-moon encounter at his childhood home.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2025
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That this once-relevant scoundrel's fall from something like grace uplifts so many is a testament to the joy to be found in seeing a cocky operator get his overdue comeuppance.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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At least 49 businesses have been robbed so far in the spree, according to the United Bodegas of America (UBA) trade group, which is offering a $5,000 bounty on the bandits.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2025
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Several warring factions exist within the Zone, as well as lone bandits and stalkers.—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
20 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near villain
Cite this Entry
“Villain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/villain. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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